Suleiman: Mubarak was aware to shootings

Published May 26th, 2011 - 15:28 GMT

Testimony by former Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman confirmed involvement of ousted President Hosni Mubarak in killing protesters.

Testimony by former Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman confirmed involvement of ousted President Hosni Mubarak in killing protesters, the state-run daily Al-Akhbar reported on Thursday. According to Suleiman, the former president ordered the armed forces and the intelligence services to monitor the protests, the report mentioned. Mubarak also got updates every hour from former interior minister Habib al-Adly on developments.

The prosecution questioned Suleiman in April on the shooting incidents during the protests as well as the wealth of Mubarak and his family.

Suleiman claimed during investigations that Mubarak was aware of every shot fired at Tahrir Square, along with the number of dead and injured including children. Mubarak also knew of the violence practiced by the Interior Ministry in dispersing protesters and running over people with vehicles, according to Suleiman.

Mubarak did not oppose shooting protesters, said Suleiman, adding that he did not give orders to stop the bloodshed.